Facebook Lawsuit Throws the -book at Social Networking Site for Teachers

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Facebook Lawsuit Throws the -book at Social Networking Site for Teachers

Facebook has sued a little-known website for educators called Teachbook, claiming Facebook literally owns the "book" when it comes to naming social networking sites.

"Misappropriating the distinctive book portion of Facebook's trademark, defendant has created its own competing online networking community in a blatant attempt to become a Facebook for teachers," (.pdf) according to a filing in San Francisco federal court.Facebook, with some 500 million users, is policing its trademark in a bid to prevent others from capitalizing on its famous name or diluting its value.

Facebook is not alone in pursuing trademark actions to protect household-name recognition. Facebook's lawsuit follows recent threatened litigation by Best Buy against a Wisconsin priest who outfitted a Volkswagen beetle to look like Best Buy's "Geek Squad" vehicle. The priest had painted "God Squad" on the beetle, but has since agreed to remove it.

Facebook's lawsuit Wednesday seeks unspecified damages and demands a judge order Teachbook, of Northbrook, Illinois, to immediately cease using "book" in its name.

This begs the obvious question: Would Facebook sue a social-networking site for priests named Goodbook? Or a librarian-networking site named Librarybook?

Barry Schnitt, a Facebook spokesman, pointed out that "we have no complaint against Kelly Blue Book or Green Apple Books or others."

"However, there is already a well known online network of people with 'book' in the brand name. Of course the Teachbook folks are free to create an online network for teachers or whomever, and we wish them well in that endeavor," he said in an e-mail. "What they are not free to do is trade on our name or dilute our brand while doing so."

Teachbook declined immediate comment.

It bills itself as a "professional community for teachers" where they are encouraged to share lesson plans and instructional videos, and to manage "communications with parents and students."